Stephen D. Krasinski, Ph.D., Joins MDI Biological Laboratory as VP of Administration

BAR HARBOR, ME - May 13, 0016 - The MDI Biological Laboratory has announced the appointment of Stephen D. Krasinski, Ph.D., as vice president for administration. Krasinski succeeds Patricia Hand, Ph.D., who retired last month after 15 years at the institution.

Krasinski comes to the MDI Biological Laboratory from Boston Children’s Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. He was a principal investigator at the children’s hospital, where he led a highly successful academic research program in intestinal biology, and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. He also worked as an adjunct professor of biology at Quincy College in Quincy, Mass.

“Our focus at the MDI Biological Laboratory is to develop solutions to complex human health problems through research, education and ventures that transform discoveries into cures,” said Kevin Strange, Ph.D., president of the MDI Biological Laboratory. “Steve’s background as a research scientist, educator and administrator make him an ideal fit for this position. We are delighted to have him aboard.”

Krasinski was drawn to the MDI Biological Laboratory by its focus on regenerative biology and aging, which he believes to be the future of medicine.

“Medicine is now focused on transplantation as a treatment for organ failure, but the future is to prevent organ failure by promoting repair and regenerative processes within the organ,” he said. “The other advance we can expect is in aging: an understanding of the common molecular processes underlying age-related diseases -- as opposed to the current disease-specific approach -- could lead to longer, healthier lives.”  

The MDI Biological Laboratory is focused on developing treatments that promote the repair and regeneration of organs or that affect the underlying molecular mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Because of this unique approach, Krasinski expects research at the institution to play a fundamental role in supporting the next phase of medicine.

His goal in his new role will be to continue to promote national and international scientific collaborations and to raise the institution’s profile as one of the world’s foremost research institutions in the fields of regenerative biology and aging by continuing to expand the research faculty and building on the institution’s robust educational offerings in these areas.

“Research into the mechanisms of aging and the repair and regeneration of tissues holds enormous potential for human health,” he said. “The MDI Biological Laboratory has taken a leadership position in these areas with signature courses that have attracted the world’s leading scientists. I want to continue to build on the institution’s reputation as an international standard bearer in these exciting fields of research.” 

Krasinski was also attracted to the position by the opportunity to return to Maine, where he was an undergraduate student. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Maine at Orono, a master’s in natural science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a doctorate in nutritional biochemistry from Tufts University Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy in Boston.  

Prior to joining Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, he was a program director and assistant professor of nutrition at Tufts University school of nutrition and an assistant professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.

The MDI Biological Laboratory, located in Bar Harbor, Maine, is an independent, non-profit biomedical research institution focused on increasing healthy lifespan and increasing our natural ability to repair and regenerate tissues damaged by injury or disease. The institution develops solutions to complex human health problems through research, education and ventures that transform discoveries into cures. For more information, please visitmdibl.org. 

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